US Prez poll 2016: Film director Spike Lee endorses Sanders

Washington, Feb 23: American film director Spike Lee has endorsed Bernie Sanders, the Democrat who is in race with Hillary Clinton for winning the party's presidential nomination, asking the voters of South Carolina to "Wake up!," a CNN report said.

Vermont Senator Sanders will take on Hillary in the South Carolina primary on February 27. After the five-point loss in Nevada Caucus, the former would be looking for a much-needed win to remain in the run for the White House.

In an ad released on Tuesday, the director of She's Gotta Have It, said: "This is your dude, Spike Lee. And you know that I know that you know that the system is rigged! For too long we've given our votes to corporate puppets. Sold the okie doke. Ninety-nine percent of Americans were hurt by the Great Recession of 2008, and many are still recovering," the CNN report said. He said this to explain why he officially endorsed Sanders.

Lee also praised Sanders for his activism during the Civil Rights Movement days, stand on education and fight against income inequality.

"Bernie takes no money from corporations," Lee said.

Fifty-eight-year-old Lee is a prominent voice in Hollywood and is known for films that examine race relations and urban and political issues. Lee's endorsement of Sanders takes place at a time when Hillary leads her rival among the black voters, a ley constituency in South Carolina. A recent poll in the state showed Hillary having the backing of 65 per cent black voters as against Sanders's 28.